Advice

Bellmen are customarily tipped approximately one dollar per bag in five star hotels, and often tipped for deliveries (food, boxes, faxes). Room-service personnel at most American hotels expect tips, anywhere between 10% to 15% of the price (before tax) of what was ordered. It should be noted that many hotels automatically add a service fee to room service meals. The customer should verify this in order to avoid double tipping. A small tip for the housekeeping staff is discretionary. Tipping the front desk staff is almost never done unless the service is exceptional

Tipping is considered by some to be a social custom in restaurants having traditional table service. The customary tip for a restaurant meal in the United States historically ranged from 10 to 15 percent of the total bill (before tax) for good to excellent service. Today 15 to 20 % (before tax for good to excellent service) is apparently now the norm . According to Fodor’s: At restaurants, a 15% tip is typical for waiters; up to 20% may be expected by some waiters at more expensive establishments. It is still under debate how the 15% tip become prevalent. If one was to assume that as inflation and cost of living increased the base price of the meal then the 10% tip would have also risen at the same percentage.

Many restaurants include a mandatory service charge (not to be confused with a tip or gratuity) often at 18% or more on the bill for groups of 6 or more guests.  Reputable restaurants should require their servers to inform their patrons of such hidden charges before they order. However, this should be verified by the customer to avoid tipping on top of the service charge.

Tipping on wine with a meal requires some discretion/judgment, as many restaurants mark up their wine 200 to 400%. Tipping etiquette websites (e.g. Findalink.net/tippingetiquette, winespectator.com, bremercommunications.com, betidy.com, etc.) suggest a tip of 15% on the meal before tax, and 5-10% on the wine (especially if the total wine bill is near or exceeds the cost of the meal).

With the advent of many traditional table service restaurants offering take-out and curbside service, standards for tipping vary. One source advocates optional tipping. Others say that tipping should be 5-10%.More money may be offered if exceptional service is provided or if the order is particularly difficult.

Tipping at buffet-style restaurants depends on the level of service. If patrons get their own beverages, $1 per head is usual. If patrons order beverages (or more) from the server, then a nominal tip such as 5% of the bill based on service quality may be considered.

Tipping at fast food restaurants and coffee places such as Starbucks (where there is no traditional table service), is not necessary, despite the growing number of tip jars (a.k.a. guilt cans) appearing at them.

It is common for servers to “tip out” portions of their tip receipts to support staff like bussers. Bartenders usually are tipped separately by the patrons ordering drinks at the bar and receive a “tip out” generally ranging from 1% -2% of the servers total sales.

In some jurisdictions, tipped workers qualify for a lower statutory minimum wage from the employer, and therefore may supplement deficient pay with tips. For example, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires restaurant employers to ensure that the total tip income reported to them during any pay period is at least eight percent of their total receipts for that period. If the reported total is below eight percent, employers must allocate as income the difference between the actual tip income reported and eight percent of gross receipts. Therefore the IRS is implicitly assuming the average tip to be eight percent.

Legally, tips should be reported as income for tax purposes by the recipient,

A tronc is an arrangement for the pooling and distribution to employees of tips, gratuities and/or service charges in the hotel and catering trade. The person who distributes monies from the tronc is known as the troncmaster. When a tronc exists in the UK, responsibility for operating PAYE on the distribution may lie with the troncmaster rather than the employer. (The word ‘tronc’ has its origins in the French for collecting box.)

In countries where tipping is the rule (for example United States), complicated social rules and etiquette have developed over the exact percentage to tip, and what should and should not be included in this calculation. In other cultures where tipping exists it is more flexible and no specific assumptions of the tip amount exist.

Some establishments pool tips and divide them to include employees who lack customer contact. At some restaurants, agreements among the staff require the servers to tip out members of the support staff (kitchen, bartender, and busser) at the end of their shift;; this means that servers pay a certain fixed percentage of their sales (most often a portion less than 15 percent of total sales) to the other staff. Thus when a patron leaves a small tip, it results in the server having to receive less from the tipping pool than other staff.

Tipping is not expected when a fee is explicitly charged for the service. For example, a service charge for all patrons that is automatically added to the tab with no tipping the rule in Brazil.Bribery and corruption are sometimes disguised as tipping. In some places, police officers and other civil servants openly solicit tips, gifts and dubious fees using a variety of local euphemisms. For example, a traffic policeman in Mexico might ask a commuter to buy him a “refresco” (soft drink), while a Nigerian officer might expect “a little something for the weekend.”

The word originates from the 16th century verb tip, which meant “to give unexpectedly”, and was derived from the German word tippen, meaning “to tap.” The modern German version would instead be Trinkgeld, literally meaning “Drink Gold”, or “Money to Drink”

The notion of a stock tip is from the same slang, and the expression hot tip, as in a sure winner in a horse race, also comes from the act of tapping. In the old days, during card games, gamblers would have an accomplice in the room. This accomplice would signal the player regarding the contents of an opponent’s hand by “tipping the wink” - that is, by “tapping” out a code with his eyelid. The Oxford English Dictionary states that tip is derived from the English thieves (which may be taken to mean “gambler”) slang word tip, meaning “to pass from one to another” (cf. “to give unexpectedly.”)

The word “tip” is often inaccurately claimed to be an acronym for terms such as “to insure prompt service”, “to insure proper service”, “to improve performance”, and “to insure promptness”. However, this etymology contradicts the Oxford English Dictionary and is probably an example of a backronym.

Some claim the origin for this term is a concept from Judaism, in that it was a chiyuv (obligation) for a seller to “tip the scales” in favor of the customer. The Torah says, “Nosen lo girumov (Give to him a tip).” For example, if your customer has asked for three pounds of onions, you should measure out the three pounds plus one extra onion, tipping the scale in his favor.

A tip (also called a gratuity) is a payment made to certain service sector workers beyond the advertised price. The amount of a tip is typically computed as a percent of the transaction minus taxes. These payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry. Though by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the person being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected would be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical. In some other cultures or situations, giving a tip is not expected and offering one would be considered condescending or demeaning. In some circumstances (such as tipping government workers), tipping is illegal.

One of my favorite novels ever is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Recently, I saw a movie directed by a very well known Indian director based on this novel. Colorful and funny, the movie captivated my attention. However, what amazed me was that the two main characters never kissed. And I like happy ending movies that end in a kiss. Anyway, later, after reading about the scandal provoked by Richard Gere when kissing an Indian actress in public, I realized that in fact, the public display of affection isn’t the same everywhere in the word.

Indonesia has a proposed law outlawing kissing in public places. The draft stipulate that people caught kissing in public could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

A British writer, George Orwell, notes in his 1934 novel Burmese Days, that Burmese people do not kiss at all and don’t even have a word for this practice. Fiction or true, only Burmese people might know.

On the other hand, it’s very common in Europe to see people kissing or holding hands in public places. No restriction here – you can go wild with your design…

Two men kissing each other may be considered here, in North America, a sign of homosexuality. However, cheek kissing between two men is socially acceptable in Russia and the Middle East.

1. So, in case your book, brochure, or website is indented for Indian or Indonesian markets, make sure that you don’t have people kissing in public places on the front cover… This might be considered bad taste and unacceptable in these cultures.

Pay attention to clothing and body language when selecting the images for your website.

2. The well known “Mac vs. PC” advertisement was completely transformed for the Japanese market; in the American ad, a nerdy PC guy keeps getting teased by his Mac counterpart, who wants to demonstrate how Macs are better. Not all the Japanese have accepted the America ’s “office casual” clot hing style and the actor who impersonates the Mac might appear to lack class. Instead, the PC character, looking like a nerd, might get better acceptance as “They’re really quite revered now in Japanese culture” (The Wall Street Journal). Australians prefer to be more casual in various social situations and those who don’t adapt may be viewed as snobs.

3. In some countries (e.g.: Columbia) it is rude for adult men to wear shorts (this is only common in recreational sports).

If you have an online flower shop and you want to extend yourself in Eastern Europe, make sure that your bouquets don’t have an even number of flowers – those are only for funerals! Also, some types of flowers are only for funerals and can’t be offered for other occasions.

4. If you are using signs or codes to represent gestures, make sure that these have the same meaning in the target market. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the V – Victory sign is considered offensive if the palm faces the signer; In Greece, showing the number five by displaying a hand with fingers spread and palm facing the recipient of the gesture is offensive. In Iraq, the “thumbs up” gesture is considered an insult. In Brazil, the OK gesture is considered obscene when directed at someone, while in France it means zero or worthless.

5. Colors have different meanings in different cultures: The color purple is associated with funerals in Mexico, joy in China, danger in Japan, and purity in India. So, if your website sells flowers in Mexico, make sure that the red bouquets aren’t under the category of love gifts.

A suit stands for men’s reputation and prestige. A smart and sharp suit is every men’s requirement, be it for party or for business meets suit is essential to prove out handsomeness. A suit adds pleasure to the men’s esteem and boosts up physical confidence. Suit is not just for party and business purpose there are even suits designed especially for marriages. A suit adds sparkle to the bride’s looks.

Whether you require an additional suit for the workplace or want to dress to make an impression at a forthcoming special occasion, a sharp suit is attire necessary. The deception is to purchase the finest quality you can pay for in an all season fabric, and an approach that won’t look outdated too early. Follow or bear these tips in mind mentioned below while buying a suit.

Prepare to disburse at least $300 to $400. Suits can be cheap to expensive i.e. $200 to $2,000 or more. The finest values come from finding originally luxurious ones being sold. There might be lots of sales put up during seasons and approach the stores to hit the minimal price. Bear in mind, all that you buy from the store can be cheap but it must fit your body well or else no using of purchasing it. As suggested, it’s better to buy a bit expensive suit which suits you well.

Before finalizing the suit try out the suit once. Get measured for your accurate size pants and jacket. Get measured for your accurate size pants and jacket. Sizes comprise a figure (for instance, even numbers amid 36 and 56) in addition a short, usual, long or extra-long description.

Just make a decision for choosing all-season fabric. As anyone can wear it for longer hours and look better than wool-polyester blends, but if your prefer choosing a blend then you have a added benefit of less wrinkle formation on coat. You can pick from other choices as well such as, twill, linen and wool crepe. If you choose a prototype, such as pinstripe, opt for a flattering, flexible color such as navy or charcoal.

Choose a jacket style. Three button jackets are usually preferred as it gives classier look few thin men prefer buying a two button or double-breasted jacket. Confirm the jacket buttons with no trouble and doesn’t drag on both side, whether you prefer to stand or to sit. Confirm that you can move your hands without any trouble and with usual swift. The collars must stretch out flat and show a 1/2-inch (1 cm) edge of shirt lapel. Shoulders cannot be changed, so confirm they aren’t stuffed or too boxy. The sleeves must exactly touch the wrist bone and shouldn’t exceed much. The jacket must be completely lined with no wrinkling ridges.

Finalize the pants style. Flat-front pants are inclined to be extra slimming, whereas pleats and manacles can make the pants dressier. (Shorter men, however, must keep away from manacles.) Go for lined pants that relax contentedly on your waist. When they’re bordered, they must break at the laces of your shoes and strike just on top of your heel.

Identity theft and fraud are no fun. While nothing is foolproof, there are some basic guidelines you can follow to help you avoid identity theft. Keep your identity intact with these helpful tips. Print them out and share them with your loved ones.

(1) Stop Sharing Info Freely – Sharing is wonderful, however, not in the world of identity theft. So stop openly giving out your confidential information so quickly and easily, especially when it’s not needed. For example, do not write your drivers license number, social security number and phone number on your checks for clerks, delivery people or anyone. And tell others not to write the info on your checks either. Any number of people can recover this information en route from the time you step away from the check out area until the check actually reaches the bank’s check routing department. And any number of people can intercept the information from the time the pizza delivery person leaves your house with your check, or from the time you fax your information to its destination.

So leave private information off checks and other documents. When in doubt, call to make sure what exactly is needed, then give important numbers via phone if necessary. Determine the best way to get the information to its destination safely.

(2) Do not give out private information if someone calls you. For example, if someone calls saying they are from your bank, credit card company or anywhere…even if they say you won the lottery… do not give out your information. Instead, get theirs and check them out first. Call back or call the local police to see if the party sounds criminal. You should only give out information if you instigate or place the call, not the other way around.

(3) Check out companies with the Better Business Bureau before doing business with them. If you click on their website at: http://www.bbb.org you will find that the Better Business Bureau provides reports on more than 2 million organizations. Companies with negative feedback will have a lot of reports filed and often descriptions. So you’ll want to avoid transactions and applications with these businesses.

(4) Know how to read your credit bureau information and get a regular read out to make sure theft has not occurred; i.e. accounts are not there that shouldn’t be, balances are what they should be, etc. This should be done at least annually.

(5) Stop pre-approved credit card offers flooding your mailbox. And get removed from other marketing lists you do not need. Simply write to P.O. Box 919, Allen, TX 75013 or call (800) 353-0809 or (888) 5optout.

(6) While you are traveling, have your mail held at the post office, so other people can’t stop by and check out your mail. Also when calling in and using ATMs, take caution to speak quietly and key any numbers and other information in with discretion. For example, with credit card transactions outside your locale, your credit card company may call for verification to make sure your card hasn’t been stolen. Tell them you are in a public area and wait for privacy to verify your mother’s maiden name, social security number, etc.

(7) Maintain your privacy by getting on the Do Not Call list at: https://www.donotcall.gov This service is free of charge and helps keep unwanted callers down to a minimum.

(8) Check your regular monthly bank and credit card statements to make sure all transactions are yours and balances are what they should be. Contact the financial institutions for anything that does not add up: transactions that you do not recognize, balances that are not right, etc.

Stay alert and learn to protect yourself. Information is one of the best tools against identity theft.

Never get around to straightening up your office? Never seem to have enough time for simple things such as preparing a meal or taking a break? Do openings in your schedule get swallowed up by distractions?

To maximize your time, learn what you can do in small increments. It’s not about cramming things in. It’s about discovering brief openings of time in your day. What can you do with 15 minutes? Don’t fritter them away. Spend these small blocks of time intentionally on things that will make a difference. To get started, pick one of these top 10 things to do each day when you have a 15-minute spot. Your time-management ability will accelerate, and your stress will go down because you got something done.

1. Declutter Your Car

Are you early for a meeting and want to get something done? Declutter your car! Gather up all the recyclables, including plastic bottles, soda cans and paper, and put them in a bag. Put all trash in another bag. Use a damp cloth or disposable wipe to clean all surfaces. Group any remaining things that you need to remove from your car later, such as clothes and newly purchased items. When you leave your car, take all the trash and recycling with you. Remove the other items as soon as you get a chance. If you’re picking up clients for a meeting, they’ll appreciate the serene setting you’ve just created in your car.

2. Take a Break

Are you tired? Do you long to take an actual break? When you discover a pocket of time in your day, do it! Calm down. Re-center yourself. Get a cup of tea at the corner coffee shop. Sink your teeth into the first chapter of a new book. (Set a timer, so you don’t get swept away.) Browse the newspaper or a magazine. The point is to take a satisfying break that refuels you for the remainder of the day. One entrepreneur uses breaks as an opportunity to walk outside and say, “Thank you,” to keep her in a state of optimism and gratitude, even when work gets trying.

3. Do Nothing

How many times a week do you long for free time to do absolutely nothing? The key is to notice when this time actually arrives, and to fill it with… nothing. Rather than viewing every opening in your day as an opportunity to cram something in, practice doing nothing. Close your office door. Become aware of your breathing. Bring mindfulness to your current thoughts, the sounds around you, your environment. If you bring one moment of rich stillness to each day, you’ll notice more energy, greater clarity and decreased stress. You’ll be able to return to even the busiest of work days with ease and grace, addressing what comes your way consciously, without negative reactions.

4. Turn Your Mood Around

Suppose you need to get work done, but you’re in a funk. First, rate the level of your bad mood on a scale of 1 – 10 (1 being “minor,” 10 being “can hardly stand it”). Then ask, “What specifically led to this mood?” Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, or you argued with your boss this morning. Pinpoint the facts of what happened. Then figure out if you’re making up anything about the incident that has very little to do with the facts. For example, “My boss doesn’t like me.” Then ask yourself, “What’s a more rational way of thinking about this?” Now rate your mood again. The number will probably be lower. Then get moving—work your way further out of the funk.

5. Make Plans

Do you like to do fun things at night after work, but don’t always get around to the required planning? When a 15-minute window opens, make a dinner reservation or look up the local movie schedule. Then call your friend, colleague or loved one to join you for your planned event. One of the keys to happiness is having something to look forward to. Now you do! Let the fresh enthusiasm for your plans also inspire you to dive into assignments when you return to work.

6. Sprint Clean Your Office

This is the opposite of doing nothing, but sometimes it has to be done! Scan your office. Pick the one area that needs the most attention first. Do you have folders stacked on your desk? Are there three coffee mugs from the past week? Your desk top may be your first target area for action. Remove what doesn’t belong there. Use a tissue to dust. Either file or put papers in your out-box for future organizing. The goal is to pick one area and clear it. Then experience a sense of calm and relief. Eliminating a mess you’ve been putting up with recharges your batteries.

7. Fix Something That’s Broken

You know all those things you think to yourself: “I have to change the light bulb,” “I need to get the latch on that window fixed,” “I have to let IT know about my computer glitches”? Use those 15 minutes to actually do something about them. If you’re handy, take that time to actually fix something simple yourself. For example, if the arm of your chair dangles, find the screw and bolt under the seat and tighten it up yourself. If you can’t (or don’t want to) fix something yourself, take the time to contact someone who can. Prompt your IT person to come assess your computer problems, or see if he or she can do it remotely. Call maintenance to repair your window. Take the first step, so you can stop thinking about it.

8. Walk Around the Block

Your tennis shoes smile at you from behind your office door. Go ahead. Slip them on and take a walk around the block. Or, jump on the treadmill. Clear your mind. Get your body moving. Taking a quick walk is easer than you think. You just have to “make” yourself go out there and do it. Once you discover when you tend to have open 15-minute time slots in your day, make that walk a regular routine. Your heart will thank you. Plus, as endorphins get released, you’ll experience greater joy. Be a role model for the rest of your office by taking excellent care of yourself, and let this newfound energy boost your productivity back on the job.

9. Prep for a Meal

Do you find yourself eating out every day? Do you want to eat healthier, but end up grabbing the quickest and most convenient food at meal times? When you have an extra 15 minutes at night or in the morning, use it to prepare a meal. Slice some sourdough bread and make your favorite sandwich for a bag lunch. Then enjoy more time at noon because you won’t have to run around and wait in line for your food. Or your meal prep might include tossing some meat, spices and vegetables into a slow-cooker or crock pot. Then you can return home from work to a nourishing, warm meal. You can sit down, relax and enjoy your food solo or with your family.

10. Prepare for the Day

Another thing you can prepare for is your day or your week. Do you rush around from one thing to the next, barely able to catch a breath? Use this easy prepare-your-day strategy to be more in charge of your time. Wake up 15 minutes early. During this “found time” visualize your day. Imagine traveling to work, your meetings, and accomplishing results with ease. Then add anything to your calendar you may have forgotten about, and include some reserve time for delays. Start by writing your three most important priorities first in your schedule, then add the things you’d like to get to but which aren’t as important. Time only offers 24 hours in a day to each of us, so use it wisely. Schedule it for what matters most. When you have another 15-minute opening in your day, use it to plan the whole week.

Whether you use these Top 10 Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes to relax or to get something done, you’ll discover how beneficial these small blocks of time can be. Begin by noticing when you have a free 15-minutes. Then choose your action or non-action! Experience the rewards of greater time management as you intentionally direct each moment of your day.